February 11, 2022
10 Adar I, 5782
Dear Friends–
Shabbat Shalom:

There is so much for so many of us to unpack given the events in our small community and the national attention we have received over the past week. Although unsettling, I am thankful for the dialogue that I have been able to have with so many of you – 343 phone conversations to be exact. It has served to reinforce what I knew about our community- we care about each other and when something goes awry we are there to talk, listen and support each other.

I am proud to be able to represent our community when these issues arise, although I am sure we can all agree, we would prefer for them not to exist. I don’t want to go into Shabbat rehashing the events of the past week, other than to say that the Federation remains committed to working with the Mountain Brook Schools and the City of Mountain Brook so that every child feels safe in their learning environment regardless of race, religion or creed and that those who teach our children do better. I believe that our open dialogue with the administrative leadership of the Mountain Brook Schools and other community leaders will ensure this an ever more present reality. Eradicating the long history of underlying Antisemitism does not happen over night but we will get there on this journey together.
I realize that many of you and your children are hurting right now. I hear it in your voices, I see it in your faces and I read it in your emails. Please know that the Federation and our agencies are here for you. Collat Jewish Family Services has offered counseling services to any of our youth that want a safe and private space to talk and work through the emotions that this recent incident has triggered. I hope you will take advantage of what we can offer.

I would like to take this opportunity to offer one suggestion as a community on how we can move forward. We are lucky enough to live in a free country with elections and representation. As many of you know there will be open seats on both the Mountain Brook City Council and the Mountain Brook School Board. I encourage those who want to work with The Federation in changing the community to investigate and run, in the case of City Council, or apply for the open school board position.

As I close I want to commend the Tytell family for having the courage to speak up and say something when their child witnessed a wrong doing. We as a community owe them gratitude and support. To that end, The Federation will be collecting notes of support for the Tytells. If you would like to share one, please put in in the mailbox outside the front door of the Federation offices and we will ensure they are delivered.

Wishing you a restful Shabbat and a week of peace ahead.

B’Shalom,

Danny 
Agency Spotlight
Spotlight On Our Future:
Hillel Connections
Hillel Connections is a program designed to attract Jewish college students to Birmingham, allowing them opportunities to develop personal, mentoring, and professional relationships with our community at large. An eight-week immersive summer internship program enables them to envision living in Birmingham as a young professional, and to consider looking for employment opportunities here after graduation; BJF feels this is a cornerstone of ensuring our Jewish future.

We are grateful to the Birmingham Jewish Federation, Birmingham Jewish Foundation, The Grafman Endowment Fund of Temple-Emanu-El, the Levite Jewish Community Center, and several visionary individual donors who have invested in our future by previous and current support of this program. Of the 20 students that have completed the program, 4 continued to work during the following school year, seven currently live in Birmingham, and seven are still in school or in post-grad programs and have expressed interest in returning (with the potential to bring at least 3 Jewish significant others with them).

Each week, we will “showcase” student(s) interested in joining our HC 2022 summer program; EMPLOYERS are needed to offer summer internships. Please review and reach out if you can help NETWORK on behalf of these talented students. They are bright, efficient, and willing to work!

If you know of a potential employer for these students, please have them reach out to us at hillel.connections@gmail.com or text Roxanne at (205) 907-2531. A detailed resume and further information can be provided if that would be helpful before you make the contact.

Prospective Intern Information

Alex B. is an upcoming Jr. at Georgia Tech majoring in Computer Science with concentrations in Intelligence and Theory. He is adept in programming languages Python, Java and C. Alex’s leadership and communication skills resulted in his appointment as Section Leader of the GT band. He also is an Eagle Scout! Alex is looking for Computer Science related internships.

Micah H. is a UA sophomore from Chattanooga, TN with a GPA of 3.98. Micah is majoring in Operations Management with a minor in Supply Chain Management. During his time as a style consultant at Target, Micah enhanced the accuracy and efficiency of a complex inventory system containing 9,000+ items through constant maintenance and extreme attention to detail. As treasurer of Alpha Epsilon Pi, he consulted with experienced professionals to develop a plan for growth while maintaining the chapter's values and assuring low financial risk. Micah is looking for opportunities in logistics and supply chain management.
Upcoming Programming
The BHEC Presents:
Holocaust in Film 2022
Select dates listed below
Starting A Conversation:
A hands-on session about transmitting Jewish Values
Monday, March 7, 2022, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Jewish NYC in BHAM:
Tenement Museum Tour
Sunday, March 13, 2022, 3:30 PM
Register before March 10th!
Purim at Knesseth Israel
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
7:30 PM Megillah Reading
8 PM Esther's Banquet
 Cost $50.00/pp
Cocktails following the Megillah reading.

Cocktail hour
Roast Vegetable display Garlic Sauce/Vegetable Dip
BBQ Salami/Rolls (Carving Station)
Baked Spinach/Artichoke dip

Dinner
 An Appropriate selection of wines
Salad Nicois (Seared Tuna, Haricot vert, Olives, Pickled onions, Roasted Red peppers, Egg garnish)
Amuse' Bouche (Brais (Crepselle of Duck Confit, Blackberry Gastrique, Wilted Spinach, and Arugula)

Table Side Service
Prime Rib of Beef w/ Horseradish sauce
Eggplant Saltimbocca
Pommes Boulangiere' (Garlic Thyme Potato stack)
Asparagus
Rapini with lemon and roast garlic
Coffee/Tea
Flourless Chocolate Torte
Jewish Roots of Sports Gala
Save the Date – Sunday, March 27, 2022, 6 PM
CJFS Annual Hands Up Together Event
Honoring the Bearman, Krell, and Wolnek Families
Save the Date – April 26, 2022
Community Programs
Quicklinks
The Federation and Foundation have been having issues with our post office box. Please send all correspondence to our physical address at 
The Birmingham Jewish Federation

@jewishbirmingham